Outdoors: Conservation Camp is a success

Friday

Jun 27, 2008 at 12:01 AM

By Bill Allmann, Times Sports Correspondent

HANOVER TWP. — In its ninth year after being restarted as a joint project between the Beaver County Conservation District and the Beaver County Sportsmen’s Conservation League, the Beaver County Conservation Camp changed campsites this year, moving to Camp 2 at Raccoon Creek State Park.

It’s a good thing the change occurred, because Camp 3, the site since 2000, wouldn’t have been big enough to handle the 60 campers ages 12 to 15.

“It’s great to have this many kids and we have enough volunteers to handle it,” director Al Moran said. “We could never have handled this big of a crowd (at the other site).”

The camp began last Saturday and closing ceremonies will be held at noon today. During the week, campers received a hunter safety course, strip mine and power plant tours, fishing and boating classes, firearms training, hands-on aquatics experiences, compass training, hikes, swimming and more.

“It’s fun both with the planned activities and the chance to chill out with the other campers,” said Cole Blake, 12, of Moon Township. “They keep us moving all day. I like camping and the outdoors but I really liked the canoeing and the shooting parts.

“Plus, the food has been great.”

Of the 60 campers, it was a new experience for 42 of them. The group included 16 girls.

Extra sleep was definitely not one of the offerings on the camp program. Days began at 6:30 a.m. and extended until the campfire at 10:30 p.m.

“I like the campfires every night,” said Ben Fritzley, 13, of Chippewa Township. “Both the organized activities and the chance to meet the other kids have been fun. I’m enjoying the chance to get my hunter safety course done like this, too, instead of just being in a classroom.”

While campers were in a state of near constant motion, camp volunteers watched practically in awe. As the camp restarted, there were times when the number of attendees was only in the high 20s.

“I think it’s wonderful they were able to get 60 kids,” said Jerry Tillia, a former camp director and now a volunteer. “I know it’s definitely worth the effort, but it is a lot of work. It really feels rewarding, though, when you get colleges asking for references on kids you had in camp a few years ago. That’s when you know the camp mattered.”

“I was wearing a camp shirt when I was checking out at Wal-Mart and the guy at the cash register saw the shirt and said he had been here and had a great time,” volunteer Jake Edminston said. “That makes you know it was worth the effort.”

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